Thirsty Thais Eye Up Cambodian River
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:57 pm
Khmer river eyed to ease drought
Thirsty EEC sparks urgent planning
published : 18 Jan 2020 at 04:01
Drought coupled with a growing thirst in the Eastern Economic Corridor [EEC] has prompted plans to divert water from the Satung Nam River in Cambodia.
"The Eastern Seaboard has no dependable major river, only reservoirs," said Alongkorn Ponlaboot, assistant to the agriculture minister.
"So the Royal Irrigation Department will conduct a study on diverting water from other rivers, including the Satung Nam, to ensure water supply [for the Eastern Seaboard]," Mr Alongkorn, a Democrat Party list-MP, told media yesterday during his trip to inspect water management efforts in eastern provinces.
Now that demand for water in the East has increased by 11%, officials there need to conduct feasibility studies and hold talks with authorities in neighbouring countries as soon as possible, Mr Alongkorn said.
Though the government insists current reserves are enough to feed the EEC, which covers 30,000 rai in Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong, the ongoing drought has authorities bracing for a bleak future and looming conflicts over water. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has already declared an emergency in parts of Chachoengsao, with drought now gripping 18 provinces.
The government plans to turn the EEC into a hub of high-level manufacturing for next-generation cars, smart electronics, medical tourism and other new industries.
Water diversion, tapping underground sources and water recycling are key measures it is relying on to meet the demand from the EEC, even as eastern provinces battle drought.
Conservationist Somnuck Jongmeewasin, a member of the House's sub-committee monitoring the EEC project, said authorities might have a hard time finding enough water to feed its mushrooming businesses.
"It is almost impossible for authorities to rely on the Satung Nam, as an official study has stated Cambodia would charge an exorbitant price for supplying water to Thailand," he said. Currently, water from the Satung Nam River is used to power a hydro dam.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1838209/
Thirsty EEC sparks urgent planning
published : 18 Jan 2020 at 04:01
Drought coupled with a growing thirst in the Eastern Economic Corridor [EEC] has prompted plans to divert water from the Satung Nam River in Cambodia.
"The Eastern Seaboard has no dependable major river, only reservoirs," said Alongkorn Ponlaboot, assistant to the agriculture minister.
"So the Royal Irrigation Department will conduct a study on diverting water from other rivers, including the Satung Nam, to ensure water supply [for the Eastern Seaboard]," Mr Alongkorn, a Democrat Party list-MP, told media yesterday during his trip to inspect water management efforts in eastern provinces.
Now that demand for water in the East has increased by 11%, officials there need to conduct feasibility studies and hold talks with authorities in neighbouring countries as soon as possible, Mr Alongkorn said.
Though the government insists current reserves are enough to feed the EEC, which covers 30,000 rai in Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong, the ongoing drought has authorities bracing for a bleak future and looming conflicts over water. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has already declared an emergency in parts of Chachoengsao, with drought now gripping 18 provinces.
The government plans to turn the EEC into a hub of high-level manufacturing for next-generation cars, smart electronics, medical tourism and other new industries.
Water diversion, tapping underground sources and water recycling are key measures it is relying on to meet the demand from the EEC, even as eastern provinces battle drought.
Conservationist Somnuck Jongmeewasin, a member of the House's sub-committee monitoring the EEC project, said authorities might have a hard time finding enough water to feed its mushrooming businesses.
"It is almost impossible for authorities to rely on the Satung Nam, as an official study has stated Cambodia would charge an exorbitant price for supplying water to Thailand," he said. Currently, water from the Satung Nam River is used to power a hydro dam.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1838209/